Chapter 4 - A DANGEROUS DEBT
Three days later, the storm broke.
Sarah was sitting up in bed, looking infinitely better. The color had returned to her cheeks, and she was managing solid food. Mia was sitting at the foot of the bed, showing her mother the vast collection of crayons and toys the Moretti guards had inexplicably showered her with. Tough men with neck tattoos and tailored suits had taken to slipping the girl chocolates and coloring books whenever the boss wasn't looking.
Adrian was in the hallway, taking a secure call regarding a shipment at the docks, when Marcus’s earpiece crackled. The security chief's hand instantly flew to his weapon.
"Boss," Marcus interrupted, his voice tight. "We have a problem in the lobby. Three men. Heavily armed. They bypassed the front desk and are heading for the private elevators. They flashed Romano colors."
Adrian snapped his phone shut. The business at the docks evaporated from his mind. "They found out she's here."
"Tommy’s debt collectors," Marcus confirmed, unholstering his sidearm. "They don't know we've locked down the floor. How do you want to play this?"
"I don't want blood near the child," Adrian said coldly. "Intercept them on the elevator. Bring them to the maintenance level. I'll meet you there."
Adrian stepped back into Sarah’s room. He forced his features into a mask of calm reassurance. "Sarah, Mia. Marcus and I have some paperwork to attend to downstairs regarding your insurance. Do not leave this room. The guards outside will keep you safe."
Sarah, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, pulled Mia closer. "Mr. Moretti... is everything okay?"
"Everything is perfectly fine," Adrian lied smoothly. "Keep coloring, Mia. I want to see that picture of the dog finished when I get back."
Mia gave him a sharp, knowing look—the look of a child who had seen too many adults lie to protect her. But she simply nodded and picked up her crayon.
Down in the subterranean maintenance level of Mount Sinai, the air was thick with the smell of oil and hot metal. Three of Tommy Romano’s thugs were currently pressed face-first against the concrete wall, disarmed and surrounded by six of Adrian’s heavily armed enforcers.
The elevator doors pinged open, and Adrian stepped out. He moved slowly, deliberately, removing his bespoke suit jacket and handing it to a guard. He unbuttoned his cuffs and rolled them up, revealing forearms thick with muscle and faded scars from a brutal youth.
"Which one of you is in charge?" Adrian asked, his voice echoing in the cavernous basement.
A burly man with a broken nose spat on the floor. "You're making a mistake, Moretti. That woman owes Tommy Romano. We came to collect. You got no right interfering in our business."
Adrian stepped into the man's personal space. He didn't yell. He didn't boast. He simply stated a fact. "The woman you are hunting works for me. The child you threatened was under my roof. That makes them my business."
"It's just five grand, Adrian. You gonna start a war over a scrub-woman's rent?" the thug sneered.
In a flash of blinding speed, Adrian’s hand shot out, grabbing the man by the throat and slamming him against the concrete wall. The thug gasped, his feet dangling inches off the ground as Adrian's iron grip crushed his windpipe. The other two collectors whimpered but didn't dare move as Marcus and the guards aimed their weapons.
"Listen to me very carefully," Adrian hissed, his face inches from the choking man. "You go back to Tommy. You tell him the debt is forgiven. You tell him that if he, or any of his dogs, ever come within a ten-mile radius of Sarah or Mia Carter again, I won't just kill him. I will dismantle his entire operation brick by brick, and I will feed him to the river. Do you understand me?"
He dropped the man, who collapsed to the floor, coughing up blood and gasping for air.
"Get them out of my sight," Adrian commanded his men.
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As he walked back to the elevator, rolling his sleeves down, Marcus fell in step beside him. "Boss, Tommy won't let this go. He's prideful. This is going to escalate."
"Let it," Adrian replied, adjusting his cuffs. "I’ve been looking for an excuse to clean up the Bronx anyway." He pressed the button for the penthouse. It was time to get back to the drawing.
